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Former Chelsea striker Carlton Cole has backed Frank Lampard to return for a third managerial stint at Stamford Bridge as the club continues searching for Enzo Maresca’s replacement following the Italian’s departure via mutual consent on New Year’s Day.
Carlton Cole Endorses Frank Lampard Return as Chelsea Hunt for New Manager
Chelsea are actively seeking a new manager after Maresca’s exit, with Liam Rosenior widely expected to be appointed from his current role at BlueCo-owned Strasbourg. However, Cole has suggested Lampard deserves consideration for the position, praising his initial spell at the club when he successfully integrated young players despite working without a transfer budget.
Cole highlighted Lampard’s first tenure as evidence of his capabilities, telling talkSPORT that the former midfielder performed “miracle work” by developing youth players alongside assistant Jody Morris. The pundit emphasized that Lampard exceeded expectations during that period, establishing a foundation that should not be forgotten when evaluating potential candidates for the vacant position.
Lampard’s managerial reputation has recovered significantly following his strong 2025 campaign with Coventry City after questions arose during his unsuccessful spell at Everton. Under his guidance, Coventry reached the playoffs last season and currently sit top of their division, holding an eight-point advantage over second-placed Ipswich Town.
Cole believes Lampard’s intimate knowledge of Chelsea’s culture and infrastructure makes him an ideal candidate, having made 648 appearances for the club as a player. The former striker suggested that Lampard’s understanding of the club’s inner workings, combined with proper backing from ownership, could prove successful if he were given full autonomy over football matters.
The pundit warned that Chelsea may struggle to attract top-level coaches if reports about working conditions under the BlueCo hierarchy prove accurate. Cole argued that elite managers would be reluctant to accept a role where ownership attempts to dictate tactical decisions, suggesting the club should focus on financial matters while allowing managers complete control over football operations.
